“IF there is anything we can do to help, please reach out.”

If I received $1 for each time I had heard that thus far during our time in America, I would probably have enough money to claim a horse from Turfway Park.

It is a testament to the generosity and hospitality that we have been so blessed to receive during the past three months here in Kentucky, from both Godolphin and beyond. Before venturing to the US I was not too sure what to expect. Now, three months in, to say I have been blown away would still be an understatement.

Following on from Daisy Fenwick’s article in the February 3rd edition of this publication, we began February at Fasig-Tipton, with the Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale.

I was lucky enough to spend the sale inspecting with Donato Lanni and Flying Start graduate Samantha Cripps.

Seven-figure sales

This sale was made all the more interesting as it included the Lottenbach Dispersal, where quality mares Bell’s The One and She Can’t Sing sold for $1.3 million and $1.1 million respectively. However, the top lot, Zetta Z, dam of Nysos (by Nyquist), secured $2 million and was substituted into the sale late on the back of her son’s impressive victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.

I initially found it hard to comprehend that a mare could be substituted into a sale on a Saturday, and due to sell on a Tuesday, but she certainly was not missed with the price tag she demanded. I realised pretty quickly the depth and demand within the American racing industry.

The 12-week practical rotations began during February, with trainees split between a number of local thoroughbred operations.

With such a broad range of practical rotations, it not only provides us with exposure to some new aspects of the industry, but is also a good reminder to trainees of how to use a fork.

A massive thank you to Airdrie Stud, Hunter Valley Farm, Stonerside Farm, KESMARC, Gainsborough Farm, Kenneally Racing, Johnny Burke, Raceland Farm, The Secretariat Centre, as well as the Godolphin offices and breeding shed.

The four weeks I was able to spend with the good guys at Airdrie Stud was certainly a highlight for me so far and, judging from the other trainees’ experiences at their respective rotations, I am anticipating more of the same from my upcoming rotations.

Light Up Racing

We have been lucky to witness the birth of Light Up Racing here and, although I am new to the American racing scene, the positivity that it has brought is obvious.

Started by Vicky Leonard, with an impressive board of directors including Price Bell, Jason Litt, Roderick Wachman and Dr Jeff Berk, it has been extremely well received and it is exciting to see its development.

The initiative aims to reshape racing’s message and, with a combined audience of over 500 people at the first two meetings, hosted by Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland, the momentum is undeniable.

The first week of March saw our equine nutrition module at the University of Kentucky completed. The learnings under the tutelage of Dr Lawrie Lawrence were invaluable, and I am definitely looking forward to putting it to use.

This was followed with a well-deserved spring break, and the majority of the trainees took up this opportunity to head to Fort Lauderdale in Florida where we all enjoyed a few days on the beach in the sun and even managed to find what some consider the eighth wonder of the world, an Irish bar.

Legal training

A legal module with Stoll Keenon Ogden kept us busy for the most part of three weeks, where we learnt about horse transactions, property transactions, immigration, litigation, and everything in-between.

It was a module that benefitted all trainees, and culminated in a mock court session, where trainees suited up and talked the talk in front of the SKO legal team, as well as Godolphin management.

The facilitation of this module from Rick Nunnelly and Chapman Hopkins must be acknowledged, as they were able to make law digestible for a group of non-lawyers.

We’ve been lucky enough to have a number of lectures from Hagyard’s world class vets as well as visiting some of Kentucky’s finest establishments, like Coolmore, Taylor Made, Lanes End, Spendthrift and Hallway Feeds.

Throughout this time, we’ve been in the presence of greatness: Justify, Into Mischief, Zenyatta, American Pharoah, Not This Time, Flightline and Quality Road, just to name a few.

With the Keeneland spring meet about to kick off, and the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby just around the corner, it is all in front of us.

All 12 trainees cannot wait to get stuck into some good American racing, and see what all this fuss of two-turns on the dirt is about.

See godolphinflyingstart.com for more on the programme